Plan On Blaine Gabbert’s Return
February 28th, 2020
The Buccaneers’ forgotten backup quarterback was/is Blaine Gabbert.
But Joe learned here at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis that Bucs fans should expect Gabbert back for his second season in Tampa.
Gabbert is almost a priority free agent for the Bucs, Joe was told.
First, Bucco Bruce Arians likes and trusts him. Second, the Bucs want to be certain they have a quarterback on the roster who has played in the offense.
Gabbert, 30, was pegged to be the backup QB last season but injured his shoulder in the third preseason game. The Bucs put him on injured reserve about 4 weeks later.
With the Cardinals back in 2017, Gabbert made five starts and had six touchdowns and six interceptions with Arians as his playcaller. The Cardinals were 2-3 in those games and Arians spoke on SiriusXM NFL Radio this week about how he trusts Gabbert because he’s won games for him. (No, the NFL Radio hosts didn’t ask Arians about Gabbert).
In a 1-on-1 chat with Gabbert last spring, the veteran QB told Joe how fired up he was to finally be in an offense he knows, versus learning a new one. From 2011 through 2018, Gabbert never had the same offense in consecutive seasons.
Gabbert earned $1 million last season and is a pending free agent. There didn’t appear to be any market for his services in 2019 (other than the Bucs), so it’s a safe bet it will only take another small contract to re-sign him.
February 28th, 2020 at 1:25 pm
Not surprised……but hasn’t Ryan Griffin played in the BA offense…..I mean….what gives with him if he can’t replace Gabbert as the primary backup…..might as well bring in a mid round QB……save a few bucks.
February 28th, 2020 at 1:26 pm
Jameis not good enough-
Gabbert worth keeping
Running backs solid
No worries buc fans
-Senile BA
February 28th, 2020 at 1:36 pm
What a bum…he stunk before he got injured and still sucks.
February 28th, 2020 at 1:38 pm
BA will look out for his boys first. Especially Leftwich
February 28th, 2020 at 1:41 pm
Exactly Lamarcus
February 28th, 2020 at 1:41 pm
I can only hope that Brady, Carr or Rivers can stay healthy.
Peace, out
February 28th, 2020 at 1:42 pm
Any wonder if griffin is worth a look? Not saying over Jameis, but He’s showed plenty of promise over the years
February 28th, 2020 at 1:46 pm
^^^ Second that.
To me, this report inference looks like a TELL in 1 of 2 ways…
1) BA believes Gabbert needs to be on roster in 2020 to back up JW3, since he knows the system & will be dirt cheap in FA. (Which will be important, as JW3’s return will suck up TAG level $$ against the Cap & the FO needs to go cheap on a BU Plan B.)
2) BA believes Gabbert needs to be on roster as the BU in 2020 to help teach the new Rook the system during camp & help mentor on the sideline between series as the Rook learns the ins-outs of BA’s vertical attack. (Player – Mentor – Future QB Coach relationship role)
So… No public insight to the QB1 direction of the team, other than team needs a cheap BU that knows the system. (That & it seems BA has no confidence in Ryan Griffin being a capable BU.)
February 28th, 2020 at 1:50 pm
Arians has always valued friendships over championships
Better options are available
February 28th, 2020 at 2:00 pm
The guy that got replaced by Blake Bortles sure looked like the guy we saw last preseason. Ryan Griffin looked like a star in comparison.
February 28th, 2020 at 2:08 pm
Might as well draft a backup
February 28th, 2020 at 2:28 pm
This turd needs to be flushed.
February 28th, 2020 at 3:07 pm
Lets see, 6 TDs and 6 INTs. That should project to 30/30 over a whole year. Sound familiar? Oh year, and he won 2 of the 5 games he started. On the other hand we’ve got Griffin, who’s played really well in preseason. Been in the Bucs’ org since 2015, and not one coach will give the kid a chance. So why keep him? I guess because he’s cheap ($1.645 million against the CAP in 2020). So now we’ll have two cheap QBs.
February 28th, 2020 at 3:52 pm
Griffin was 50 times better than Gabbert. And if Gabbert recieved 1 mil last year he should consider that a gift from BA & the Bucs. Just hope BA isn’t serious about keeping Gabbert on the roster this year.
February 28th, 2020 at 3:54 pm
Blaine Gabbert could be their safety net to break free from the shackles (keep from nawing their leg off) from Winston …
Can’t get the QB you want, start BG and draft for future!
February 28th, 2020 at 4:05 pm
Wait he trust what lol I can’t no more get this freaking Use Car Salesman out of here! You trust Blaine oh I forgot you are the “Whisper” Lol!!
February 28th, 2020 at 4:13 pm
I realize that Blaine Gabbert sucks…..but……compared to JW at $30 mil….or even $27mil…….his $!mil would at least bank a bunch of money for a RT, S, RB, DE & might even cover the cost of new uniforms……..just sayin’……
February 28th, 2020 at 6:08 pm
In camp Gabbert looked like the better QB… seriously. I left a week watching camp thinking he was going to beat out Jameis who was making the same behind/high/low throws he turned into 30 picks. I never saw the same quality play in preseason before he got hurt but don’t dismiss Gabbert out of hand.
February 28th, 2020 at 6:09 pm
New uniforms let’s go!!!!!
February 28th, 2020 at 6:45 pm
Really, 6 TDs and 6 INTs? Could it be the system and not the QB that’s the problem?
Yuk, yuk!
February 28th, 2020 at 8:03 pm
Horrible news. This guy would be hard pressed to start at Gaither High School. If it’s a 3rd string player/coach kind of thing, I’ll live with it, but I never want to see this guy in a game.
February 28th, 2020 at 9:17 pm
This guy sucked before he got hurt. Hell Ryan Griffin played 10 times better during pre season this past year. No need to keep Gabbert. We need a whole new QB room. Bring in a veteran to replace Winston and draft the future QB.
February 29th, 2020 at 8:35 am
RG before Gabbert. Why is RG constantly being kept on the back burner? Has never really been given a chance to show what he can do in a real game. Maybe the Bucs should save a ton of money & let JW walk & have RG & Gabbert as the QB’s. That way they could sign all the FA’s they want to keep.
February 29th, 2020 at 8:43 am
I still say trading Brate for Dalton would be a good move. Dalton does have playoff experience & is relatively cheap. Look what BA did with Palmer. Could do the same thing with Dalton.
February 29th, 2020 at 10:45 am
I am sleeping well knowing that Blaine Gabbert is coming back. I’d rather have Griffen.
March 3rd, 2020 at 12:12 pm
I’ve been saying all along that I can’t understand why RG has never been given a fair chance to be starting QB. For sure much better than Gabbert. If JW walks & Bucs can’t get the QB they want maybe they should should get a mid level QB to compete with RG & BG. Then draft QB on second day of draft or maybe even later. Like Morgan from FIU.